The Civic Innovation Fund (CIF) is a unique European pooled fund launched by THE CIVICS Innovation Hub. It aims to pioneer new ideas in civil society, enhance their visibility, and integrate them into NECE. The fund supports start-up ideas in civic education that apply interdisciplinary and inclusive approaches which lead to greater resilience, diversity, and collaboration in democracy. The CIF aims to support primary young civic educators (under 35) and young NGOs (under 3 years of existence). The awarded startups also qualify as informal NECE Impact Spots and are involved in all NECE activities.

Civic Innovation Fund logo

Call for civic innovation projects

Two thematic CIF calls are now open! Within these calls, each successful project proposal will receive 10,000€ for piloting, incubation and upscaling of their idea within a period of 12 months. Do not miss the chance to make your civic projects come true.

Feel free to follow us on social media to be updated on our upcoming calls.

Eligibility criteria

  • What
    Civil society projects (workshops, cultural interventions, eyewitness talks, exhibitions, scientific studies, scenario methods, apps, augmented reality storyboards)

  • Aims & Topics
    Aimed at strengthening democratic competencies that promote participation, cohesion, and resilience and relate to NECE topics or a specific topic of the call

  • By whom
    At least 2 partners (individuals, organisations, etc.) from wider Europe with the lead partner from a European country

  • Key principles

    Diversity, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity

FAQ

We apply a definition of civic education following the wording and recommendation of the Council of Europe.

Civic education equips citizens with the competencies that enable them to actively participate in the society. These civic competencies are:

  • knowledge (i.e., concepts of democracy, institutions, identity, politics)
  • skills (i.e., communication, discussion culture, thinking critically, problem solving, (self-) reflection, awareness of bias and blind spots)
  • democratic values (i.e., valuing human dignity and human rights, equality, transparency, cultural diversity)
  • attitudes (i.e., openness to otherness, trust, respect, tolerance, responsibility, self-efficacy).

These should be direct costs related to the implementation of the project. Office costs can constitute max. 10 %. Such costs as, for example, catering cannot be covered by CIF.

Yes, well-established NGOs are eligible to send their applications as well. However, during the assessment process, priority will be given to younger NGOs and projects.

Yes, we welcome projects proposed by the university teams and SMEs too. However, it is important to note that the projects submitted by these teams must be directly related to the field of civic education.

If you have difficulties with finding partners, check our virtual map of civic educators which offers you a great variety of partners in civic education to network and cooperate with.

We are looking forward to receiving your project ideas and making them a reality together!

The Civic Innovation Fund is supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, Porticus Amsterdam C.V., ERSTE Foundation, and King Baudouin Foundation.

 

In case of questions, feel free to reach out to cif@thecivics.eu

“Education is a fundamental enabler of an active and informed citizenship and thus, for democratic participation”

Report A9-0060/2022 of the European Parliament